What is FlightSearch and how do I remove it?
Information about flights is easy to find. It’s a simple web search away. Why would you need to use a browser extension when you can just search the web, especially when the extension can track everything you’re doing and do with that information as they please?
Take exhibit A: The FlightSearch extension for Google Chrome. The FlightSearch extension is promoted as a free tool to help you locate information about flights, like where to find tickets and schedules. However, it’s not exactly free to use. The extension gathers sensitive information about you and modifies your internet browser settings to track what you’re doing online.
What will they do with your sensitive information? Probably sell it to whomever they want and show you advertisements based on your online activities.
When you install the FlightSearch extension you agree to allow it to read and change all your data on the websites you visit, replace the page you see when opening a new tab, display notifications, manage your downloads, and manage your apps, extensions, and themes. Is all that really necessary? No, not at all.
To protect your privacy and your computer don’t install extensions that can basically see everything you’re doing and take control of your web browser.
Here’s how to remove the extension from Google Chrome and scan your computer for malware that may have been introduced to your machine alongside the extension.
1. Open the Customize and control Google Chrome menu and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Find the FlightSearch extension and click the Remove button to remove it.
3. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to scan your computer and remove malicious files and potentially unwanted programs.
4. To install the program, locate and double-click the executable file you just downloaded. The file can usually be found in the Download folder.
5. Choose if this is for home or work use and click Agree and Install to begin installing Malwarebytes. Once the installation is complete, click Finish.
6. Once Malwarebytes is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button on the dashboard – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
7. When the scan is complete click the Quarantine Selected button.
8. If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.
9. Download HitmanPro to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining malicious trace files. A second-opinion scan is important when removing malware and malicious files from your computer.
10. To install the program, locate and double-click the executable file you just downloaded. The file can usually be found in the Download folder.
11. Once HitmanPro is installed, open the program and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may choose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
12. When the HitmanPro scan is complete, click the Next button.
13. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
14. Click the Reboot button.
